Helmot to Lead NT Strike

Helmot brings a wealth of international and franchise T20 coaching experience, most recently supporting Gary Kirsten as Assistant Coach of the Pakistan Men’s Team at the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies, following a very successful 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) where Helmot was Assistant Coach to Daniel Vettori at the tournament runners up, Sunrisers Hyderabad.    

Helmot’s 25 years of coaching experience extends to coaching roles with ACT Comets, Victorian Bushrangers and Melbourne Renegades as well as overseas franchises in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and Lanka Premier League (LPL). 

After spending time coaching in the Top End during the 2023 Men’s Strike League, Helmot is excited to return. 

“I absolutely loved my time in Darwin last year and can’t wait to get back up and enjoy what are just perfect conditions for cricket.  

I’m obviously keen to help secure back-to-back titles for the NT Strike, but more so I’m excited to help identify and develop the next crop of Territory talent.  

The NT has produced some very good players and the likes of young Tom Menzies tells me there is more talent coming through. ” 

NT Cricket CEO Gavin Dovey said it was coup for Northern Territory Cricket to have someone of Helmot’s experience involved again. 

“We are very fortunate to have someone of Simon’s coaching pedigree invested in helping us elevate the game up here.  

Beyond an incredible coaching resume, Simon is a great human being who will create a great learning environment and enjoyable few weeks for our best young talent”.  

Expressions of interest are now open for players and support staff who would like to be involved in the NT Strike’s 2024 Top End T20 Series. 

The expression of interest forms can be found below; 

Expression of Interest - Player 

Expression of Interest – Support Staff  

Player Eligibility

Northern Territory Cricket will be focused on selecting players for the Northern Territory Strike who meet one or more of the below criteria:  

(1) Born In or Permanent Resident of the Northern Territory 

(2) Has been part the NT Cricket Academy 

(3) Played junior cricket in the Northern Territory 

(4) Has represented NT Cricket at National Championships 

However, due to a number of factors including the small and transient population of the Northern Territory, NT Cricket will accept expressions of interest from and reserves the right to select player(s) from outside of the above categories should it believe it is, on balance, in the best interests of the team and competition.  

Player Selection

Northern Territory Cricket will provide clarity on the selection process in due course; however, players can expect that selection will be based on several considerations including but not limited to:  

(1) Playing Resume and Experience (i.e. highest level of cricket played);  

(2) Previous or Current Performances in Darwin and Districts Cricket Competition, Alice Springs Cricket Competition or NT Representative Teams;  

(3) Squad Skill Requirements, Composition and Balance; 

(4) Youth Development (i.e. opportunity to develop best young talent)